On August 30, 2015, the AANE community lost a beloved and inspiring leader and advocate when author and neurologist Oliver Sacks passed away from cancer. Dr. Sacks had an incomparable knowledge of the brain and its fascinating mysteries and puzzles. He was able to share that knowledge with both professionals and lay people through his elegant and compelling writing. His original and penetrating mind, and his deep empathy and respect for his patients, illuminate every page of Awakenings and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat.

Rain Reign is a much lauded recent book by noted children's author Ann M. Martin. It tells the story of Rose, a young girl with what is described as "high functioning autism."

The book has been praised by critics and earned piles of awards. But here at AANE we wanted to know if Rain Reign rang true to a young person who has Asperger's (AS), so we turned to blog contributor, Mia J. Salaz. Here's what she had to say.

Everyone worries about the transition to college life, especially when that college is over 500 miles from home. You have to start over in terms of friendships and routine, while maintaining your grades. For someone with Asperger’s Syndrome, this transition was more than just adjusting to the new environment; it also meant transitioning to the people who would live with me for the next four years.

April has been designated Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. At this time when the rest of the world is focusing on Autism-AANE wants to take time to listen, to hear the voices of those living with this diagnosis and their loved ones.

I am a chronic worrier. Uncertainty terrifies me. Throughout my life I have asked a lot of questions – many of which begin with the frenzied words, “What if….?” I have also received a lot of answers. Many of which end with, “Don’t worry. It will be okay.” But how can any of us know if it will be okay?

Have you ever considered yoga for yourself or your child on the autism spectrum? Yoga and other mindfulness practices offer simple and powerful strategies that can help us feel calm and focused and manage day-to-day stress. Mindfulness simply means paying attention in a relaxed way to what we are experiencing in-the-moment. Yoga is a form of mindfulness practice that uses body positions, movement and breathing exercises.

The following exercises are appropriate and safe for healthy individuals of all ages and do not require any prior yoga experience.